Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary: India’s only Ape Species known as
Hoolock Gibbon is found in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary
The Hoollongapar Gibbon
Wildlife Sanctuary was renamed on 25 May 2004, and it is known as the Gibbon
Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserve Forest. The Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary
is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in the Jorhat
district of Assam, covers an area of about 20.98 sq km, which is enveloped by
gorgeous tea gardens and beautiful villages such as Rampur, Madhupur, Lakhimpur
and Velleoguri.
The Gibon wildlife sanctuary
was officially established and renamed in the year 1997. Set aside originally
in 1881, the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary used to extend to the foothills of the
Patkai mountain range. In the early 1900s, artificial rebuilding was used to
develop well-stocked forests, resulting in the site’s rich biodiversity. From
that time, the forest has been fragmented and surrounded by small villages and
tea gardens. In the early 1900s, artificial regeneration was used to develop
well-stocked forest, resulting in the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary's rich
biodiversity.
The fact that Assam is home to India’s only ape species known as hoolock gibbon not many must be aware of it. Hoolocks Gibbons are one of the largest species of the Hoolock genus, coming at second after the siamang. Hoolocks are 90 cm in size and weigh about 6 to 9 kg. Both the males and females are of the same size, but the color is not the same: the males are black with white brows while the females are grey-brown. The rings around their eyes and mouths give them like a mask. The gibbons are active in the day and arboreal. The diet of the gibbons consists of leaves, fruits, and insects.
The Gibbon wildlife
sanctuary has rich biodiversity and is home to the only apes in India, the
western Hoolock as well as the only nocturnal primate found in the northeast
Indian states, the Bengal slow loris. The upper canopy of Gibbon wildlife
sanctuary forest is dominated by the Hollong tree, while the Nahar dominates
the middle canopy and the lower canopy consists of a variety of evergreen
shrubs and herbs.
Other primates include the stump-tailed macaque, eastern Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, northern pig-tailed macaque, and capped langur. Also found at the sanctuary are Indian elephants, jungle cats, wild boars, three types of civets, tigers, leopards, four types of squirrel, and several other types of mammal. It is known that at least 219 species of bird and several types of snake are live in the park. Other species obtained in the top canopy include Sam, Amari, Sopas, Bhelu, Udal, and Hingori.
On 30 July 1997, the Gibbon
Wildlife Sanctuary was constituted under the Jorhat civil district and named it
the “Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary” when the only apes were found in India. The
Hollongapara Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is the single sanctuary in India named
after a gibbon due to its distinction for containing the densest gibbon
populations in Assam.
The area of Gibbon Wildlife
Sanctuary started with 206 ha (0.80 sq mi) and then shrank in 1896 as sections
were de-reserved. As the Tea gardens began to emerge within 1880 and 1920, and
villages were established during the 1960s to rehabilitate people from Wrold
biggest river Island Majuli and adjoining areas who had lost their homes and
lands to floods, the forest became fragmented and the reserve became isolated
from the foothills. During the 1900s, the forest areas were added to the
reserve, finally totaling 2,098.62 ha (8.1 sq mi) by 1997.
Around the Gibbon
Wildlife Sanctuary Region
The wildlife sanctuary
officially extends to the Dissoi Reserve Forest, Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest, and Tiru Hill
Reserve Forest, which are used as dispersal areas for Indian elephants and
other animals. Three extensive tea gardens that belong to the estates of
Kothalguri, Dissoi, and Hoolonguri and span the distance between the
Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary and the nearest forests in Nagaland, the Dissoi
Valley Reserve Forest.
The wildlife sanctuary
witnesses many national and international tourists visiting throughout the
year. For that, a number of bungalows have been constructed so that the
tourists can reside here pleasantly. The Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is a
complete treat for the nature lovers out there.
Best Time to visit
Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary
The best time to visit
Sanctuary is during the winter season. This is a good time when there are more
chances of spotting hoolock gibbon and slow loris in their natural habitat.
Read: Historical Monuments Lachit Maidam!! The Great General of Ahom Army Lachit Borphukan
1) Morning time is the best who wish to spot
hoolock gibbons. These wild apes are full of energy in the morning.
2) No vehicle is permitted inside the park premises. So one who want to
vist be prepared to walk a lot.
3) Make sure that you
should wear comfortable shoes and
covered clothes to avoid mosquitoes or any kind of ant bite.
4) If you walk long
distances, you might get lucky and spot slow loris, capped langur, and various
types of macaque living in the jungle.
5) In case if you decide to visit the forest during
monsoons, make sure you wear leech socks and carry a packet of salt, in case of
emergency.
You may read:
Gibbon
Wildlife Sanctuary: India’s only Ape Species known as Hoolock Gibbon is found
in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary
Historical Monuments Lachit Maidam!! The Great General of
Ahom Army Lachit Borphukan
Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar: Asia Book Record for 484 yearsBurning Lamp of Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar
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